ADDISON: Hey, guys, it’s Autumn! Looks like she’s okay!
AUTUMN: Yep, the nurse says I’ll be fine… and it sounds like our school will be too! …we couldn’t have done it without you, Wes. Thank you.
Autumn reaches out to Wes, and he steps back, glancing down. Julian watches suspiciously.
WES: ...just doing the right thing is all, no big deal. Unfortunately for me, I don’t think Max and Kara are going to see it that way. I get the feeling people at Hearst aren’t going to be throwing me any parades…
ADDISON: Well… why don’t you transfer here?
JULIAN: Are you serious, Addison? You want to let in Sketchy McSketcherson?!
ADDISON: He helped us win the game, Julian. That makes him all right by me. What do you say, Wes?
WES: It’s a tempting offer, I’ll admit. Do you have a place for me?
[ Have 1 Slacker Hangout | None | Wes, 3300xp ]
WES: Okay, now THAT is impressive. You’re not just playing around, are you, Addison? You’re really serious about this whole ‘best school ever’ thing?
ADDISON: I want this school to be a place anyone can feel welcome.
WES: Even sketchy, double-crossing guys like me?
ADDISON: Even sketchy, double-crossing guys like you.
WES: Let me ask you something, Addison. Don’t you ever get tired of always playing defense against Hearst?
JULIAN: What are you saying?
WES: I’m saying, maybe it’s time we took the fight TO THEM. And I think I know exactly how we can do that.
ADDISON: Whatever it is… count me in.
AUTUMN: Same here. I trust you, Wes. I always have.
JULIAN: A little offense, a little payback… I guess I’m in. So long as you can promise me we’ll make Hearst pay!
WES: Oh, by the time we’re through with them, Max’ll be begging us for mercy! I’ll be back… with a plan. In the meantime, set up a place for us to meet.
Wes walks off as Mia runs up.
MIA: Hey! I’ve got big news! My dad and Max are heading into the city for the weekend to catch a ballgame!
JULIAN: That sounds like big news… for THEM.
MIA: Yeah, and it also means that the family beach house is free for the weekend! I’m thinking group weekend! There will be sun, sand, skimpy swimsuits…
AUTUMN: That sounds like so much fun! When do we leave?
MIA: Whenever people are ready! I’m inviting the whole school!
JULIAN: Weekend long beach party? I’m down to clown!
PAYTON: And I’ve got, like, a dozen bikinis that I’ve never gotten a chance to wear!
NISHAN: Ooh… And I built my own super-powered jet ski that has to be field-tested! Count me in… for science!
MIA: What about you, Addison? You’ve got to come! It’s going to be so much fun!
[ Have 6 Hedges, Have 6 Trees | None | 2585xp ]
You, Wes, Julian, Autumn, Payton, Nishan, and Mia all gather to meet.
WES: You all know why I called you here today. Since your school opened, Hearst High has been trying to shut you down. Hearst High is like a bully. If we don’t fight back, they’ll just keep messing with us. Now, it’s time we take the fight to them.
JULIAN: Finally! I’m not sure how much help this group is going to be in a brawl, but you can count on me.
PAYTON: I’m SURE Wes doesn’t mean a physical fight. We’re talking social sabotage, right?
WES: Bigger. I’m working on a plan, and I think we just might be able to pull off revealing the biggest school scandal this town has ever seen.
ADDISON: What’s the scandal?
WES: We all know Heart High isn’t exactly the fairest place around. The football coach plays Max instead of Julian just because Max’s father is the principal.
JULIAN: Right.
WES: But the corruption goes deeper than that… much deeper. And I’ve got a plan to expose it.
ADDISON: What exactly is this scandal all about?
WES: I’ll get to that. Right now, you all need to listen up. To pull this off, everyone has to follow my instructions.
JULIAN: Huh? You’re here a couple days and suddenly you’re our leader?
WES: I’m the guy with the plan, so I guess that makes me the one in charge.
Wes spreads out a map of Hearst High.
WES: Here’s how it’s going to go down. We wait for a weekend night, when fewer people are around Hearst High. Then we break into their library…
AUTUMN: Breaking into their school? Wes, I don’t know about this…
WES: It’s the only way. Hearst uses a closed computer system. That means we need to get Nishan into the school so he can hack into the system on-site.
NISHAN: On-site? Um, just so we’re clear, I’m much more of a ‘very safe, very remote location’ kind of guy…
WES: I do this kind of thing all the time. We just have to keep an eye on the clock. Here, look at the map. We’ll have a solid minute and a half to run the distance between their library and the edge of their campus.
NISHAN: A minute and a half?! That’s crazy! What’s your backup plan if I can’t keep up? Juvenile hall and a permanent record? Visits every other weekend?
Payton’s phone beeps, and she giggles while reading a new text message.
ADDISON: Payton, are you paying attention?
PAYTON: Huh? Oh… sorry! It’s just, I’ve got this big date planned… and I’m sooo excited about it! I just can’t stop texting about it. You guys understand, right?
WES: Oh, yeah, of course. A date. That’s much more important than the elaborate and dangerous heist we’re all working on.
PAYTON: I FEEL like you’re being sarcastic… but what you’re saying makes perfect sense…
WES: Does no one here realize that this is serious? The principal and Max have gotten away with their crimes for too long. We’ve got to take those scumbags down!
MIA: Hey! I don’t agree with what they’re doing, but they’re still my FAMILY! You can’t talk about them like that!
JULIAN: Well, this meeting is off to a great start, Wes. Why did I ever doubt you? Oh, right, because you’re a terrible leader…
Everyone begins to talk at once about different problems with the plan… until Wes grabs the map off the table.
WES: Okay. We gave it a shot, but this whole team thing isn’t going to work. Thanks for playing, everyone. But I’m out of here.
Wes turns and stalks away.
JULIAN: I knew a loner like Wes couldn’t just come in here and pull off leading a team. What a waste of time.
ADDISON: Autumn? Maybe you could go talk to him?
AUTUMN: I… I hate to say it, Addison, but maybe it’s for the best. Wes has never been a team player, much less a leader.
ADDISON: I don’t think you really mean that…
AUTUMN: I mean, look at what just happened! Things got tough… and he ran. Do we really want to risk building a plan around him when we can’t count on him to be there?
ADDISON: Look, we need Wes. He might not be the easiest person to deal with… but he’s got all the information. I’ll go talk to him.
[ Addison, Wes | 8h | 3000c, 2585xp ]
ADDISON: Hey! Wes! Wait up.
WES: What do you want?
ADDISON: I wanted to talk to you about that meeting. We can still pull this off.
WES: Very optimistic of you, Sunshine, but like I said, we gave the whole team thing a shot. I’ll figure out a way to take down Hearst on my own.
ADDISON: We both know that if you could’ve done it on your own, you would’ve done it already. You came to us because you need help.
WES: …
ADDISON: Just talk to me. I know we can figure something out.
WES: Yeah? Well, talk while you walk. I’ve got something to take care of at my place.
Wes walks up to a run-down trailer with a half-blind bulldog slouched in front of it. Wes pats the dog on the head as he pours out food into the dog’s bowl.
WES: Good boy… good boy…
Wes turns to you.
WES: Now, where were we? You were just about to convince me to go back to your ragtag group of misfits and figure out a way to get them to actually pull off my daring plan.
ADDISON: Yeah, that sounds about right…
WES: Okay, Addison. Give me your best shot. Why should I step up to the plate and take one for the team and all that?
ADDISON: Now you’re just saying sports metaphors.
WES: Look, my point is that I don’t think your buddies have what it takes to pull this caper off… so why should I put in that kind of effort?
ADDISON: (Wes is a master at manipulation… what’s the best way to talk him into this?) You know what? You’re right. There’s probably no way you could pull off leading a group. I mean, I THOUGHT you were a master at manipulating people… but I guess some things are beyond even the great Wes.
WES: Reverse psychology, huh? Pretty obvious… But I like that you’re trying. Kind of a rookie way to go about it, but your head’s in the right place. Maybe your school’s not a total lost cause.
ADDISON: Hey, it’s YOUR school now too.
WES: Heh. Yeah. Yeah, I guess that’s right. Well, let’s do this, then. For OUR school. So, where do we start? You know these people. How do we get everyone back on track?
ADDISON: We talk to everyone, one at a time. We help them sort through what’s standing in their way. Let’s start with Julian. Everyone looks up to him. Until the two of you are getting along, we won’t be able to get the team working together.
And so… later that day…
JULIAN: You want to get the team to pull together? You need leadership.
WES: And you’re the guy that’s going to teach me all that?
JULIAN: Not me. For a crash course in leadership, you’re gonna need to learn straight from the professionals! How about we go to an NFL game? You can learn a lot about leadership watching a pro team play. How about it, Addison? Think you can spring for some tickets to a game?
[ Spend 140000 coins | None | 2585xp ]
At the football game…
JULIAN: See how the quarterback is calling all the plays?
WES: Yeah, he’s just shouting orders, and everyone listens to him. What’s that supposed to teach me? To be louder?
ADDISON: I don’t think that’s the message here.
JULIAN: Addison’s right. They’re listening ‘cause they trust him. They’ve practiced together. He knows them. He knows what they can do. And more than that… they know HIM.
WES: I think I see what you’re getting at. I need to get to know my team, and they need to get to know me. That’s the big moral, right? I can pull that off.
JULIAN: Yeah? Well, maybe you’re not a hopeless case after all…
ADDISON: Great! So, Julian, you’ll help us take down Hearst High?
JULIAN: I’m in… but do we even have a team? Last I checked, everyone else was out. Not to mention that if Mia doesn’t agree to this, she can tell her family and blow the whole thing.
ADDISON: Yeah, we do need to talk to her… but I haven’t seen her around. Do you think she’s avoiding us?
WES: Maybe… but she’s got cheerleading practice now. We can talk to her there. She won’t be able to get away.
ADDISON: Um… do you have everyone’s schedule memorized?
WES: Memorized, written down in extensive spreadsheets… who can say? The important thing is that we talk to Mia, and to do that we’ll need a cheerleader to let us into the gym while they’re practicing!
[ Addison, Wes, A Level 6+ Cheerleader except Mia (Emery) | 12h | 2585xp ]
EMERY: Mia is going to kill me for letting you guys in here, isn’t she?
WES: She’ll thank you for it. Some day.
ADDISON: Thanks for the assist. We’ll take it from here.
MIA: What is this?! You think you can sneak into our cheerleading practice?
WES: Not exactly air-tight security around here…
MIA: Look, I told you earlier that I don’t want to be part of your plan to take down my dad and brother. And you know what’s changed? Nothing.
ADDISON: Just hear me out. We’re your family now. The people who care about you… the ones who always have your back… that’s who your family is. And that’s US. You know we’re always here for you.
MIA: That’s… that’s really sweet. I do appreciate you guys. In most ways, you’re way more of a family to me than they ever were. But my dad and brother ARE a big part of my life. I’m not saying I AGREE with what my dad’s doing. I’m just saying that it’s complicated. I’m not exactly ready to wage an all-out war against my family.
WES: I get it. Morality isn’t black and white. And we’re not going to set out to hurt them. And I’m not going to ask you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. But we do need to stop them.
ADDISON: We just want to make things fair for everyone.
MIA: I know. I… I guess I’ve always known it would come to this. And you’re right. I’m with you. Thanks for sneaking into cheerleading practice to talk to me. I know I’ve been avoiding you two, but I actually feel a lot better after that talk…
ADDISON: Heh. Glad we could help.
MIA: Okay, okay. Now get out of my gym! I have a practice to finish!
ADDISON: That’s another one ready to rejoin the team!
WES: Yeah… but don’t get cocky. None of this is going to matter if we can’t figure out a way to get Nishan onboard. No one else can hack into the computer system at Hearst High.
ADDISON: But there’s no way he’ll come with us if he can’t run fast enough to keep up with the group. He’s too worried about getting caught. Maybe we could have him train with a jock?
WES: Here’s the thing, Addison. I’ve run the numbers. I know Nishan can run fast enough to get in and out of Hearst High’s campus in a minute and a half… He just doesn’t THINK he can.
ADDISON: Then it’s a question of getting Nishan to believe in himself?
WES: Yeah… I’ve got an idea. If we can give Nishan some motivation to run, we can time him and show him how fast he really moves.
ADDISON: And when you say ‘motivation’...
WES: I mean we’re going to make him fear for his life.
[ Addison, A Level 6+ Actor, A Level 6+ Filmmaker (Laurie, Morgan) | 6h | 4000c, 2585xp ]
WES: Okay, so I’ve called you here today because we’re going to play a little scene with our friend Nishan. We’re going to make him think that his worst fear has come to life: a were-panther with robot legs.
ADDISON: How do you know that’s Nishan’s worst fear?
WES: Oh, I make it a point to know. Now, first we’ll need some creepy monster makeup…
MORGAN: I can take care of that!
WES: And we’ll need someone to act like said were-panther.
LAURIE: What’s my motivation?
WES: Look, you’re playing a were-panther, not King Lear. Your motivation is you want to eat someone. Don’t over-think it.
Morgan puts the finishing touches of makeup on Laurie.
MORGAN: There, you’re ready!
ADDISON: Nishan’s typing over there in the quad. Let’s go!
Laurie sneaks up behind Nishan…
NISHAN: Type type type… typin’ away.
And roars!
NISHAN: No! That’s impossible! A were-panther with robot legs?! I must be dreaming. I’m dreaming, right? Then why can’t I fly? And why am I wearing pants? Oh no. Oh no. This is real.
Laurie roars again, and Nishan takes off running! After Nishan sprints to the end of the school, Wes clicks his stopwatch.
WES: And done!
NISHAN: Wes! Run! There’s a were-panther after me, and it’s got robot-legs! It’s nature’s ultimate vengeance against scientists for playing God!
He turns around, just as Laurie wipes off the makeup…
NISHAN: What’s going on?
WES: Just a little experiment. Take a look at this stopwatch.
NISHAN: A minute and a half? I don’t get it.
WES: That’s the amount of time it took you to spring across the school campus. If you can do that here, no way you’ll have trouble doing the same thing at Hearst High.
NISHAN: I did that? On these scrawny legs? Well, sir, you have proven me the fool.
ADDISON: So does that mean you’ll help with the heist?
NISHAN: I’m in!
ADDISON: Next, we’d better talk to Payton. Her heart’s in the right place, but she’s just too distracted thinking about that date.
NISHAN: The solution is obvious, isn’t it? Get her to move up her date.
And so… a few minutes later, you and Wes find Payton.
WES: Payton, you’ve got to move up your date.
PAYTON: What? No way! I’ve been planning it all week.
ADDISON: Come on. You know you won’t be able to focus as long as you’re still thinking about that date. While we’ve been talking to you, you’ve checked your phone for texts five times!
PAYTON: Okay, fine, you have a point. I’ll see what I can do.
[ Complete a Successful Date with Payton | None | 2585xp ]
PAYTON: I hate to admit it, but you guys were right. I guess I didn’t realize how much I was looking forward to that date!
WES: So your head’s in the game now?
PAYTON: You have my COMPLETE focus.
Later that day, Autumn pulls you and Payton aside…
AUTUMN: Hey, guys? Can we talk for a second?
ADDISON: Something wrong?
AUTUMN: I’m glad everyone is working together, but I… I’m not sure I’m ready for this. Look, Wes and I go way back, but not all of that’s been good. I just don’t feel like we can count on him to be there when we need him!
PAYTON: Aww… Autumn, you didn’t see how Wes was after you hurt your ankle. I’m a pretty good judge of character, and I can say that guy really cares about you.
AUTUMN: Maybe…
ADDISON: I think the two of you just need some time to talk.
PAYTON: And not like a serious ‘We need to talk’ talk. You two need to lighten up! It’s just high school. Ohmigosh, this calls for a party! Parties always bring people together!
AUTUMN: I don’t know…
PAYTON: Come on! What could it hurt? I’ve been meaning to throw a party anyway. And I bet Wes is totally fun at parties. Oooh, I’ll go get Wes, and the two of us will get this party started! See you guys there!
[ Complete a Party with Payton and Wes | None | 2585xp ]
AUTUMN: You know… that was actually fun. We haven’t done something like that in a long time.
WES: I know I haven’t seen you smile like that in a long time. At least… not at me.
AUTUMN: I always have fun with you.
WES: Then what’s wrong? I know you’ve been avoiding me.
AUTUMN: I just don’t always agree with how you solve your problems. Like when you transferred to Hearst High… I thought you were coming there for me. But then you started getting all buddy-buddy with Max and Kara. I felt like you betrayed me. You turned on me when everyone was against me.
WES: I had to get in with them! I had to figure out the system at Hearst. They were the fastest way to do that.
AUTUMN: I get it. It was all part of some scheme. But you didn’t exactly tell me that. I know you were solving the problem YOUR way, but it still hurt to see you with them.
WES: Autumn… haven’t you ever heard that you need to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer? Well, that was a mistake. I didn’t keep you close enough. You’re the only friend I’ve got. Guess I forgot what it was like.
AUTUMN: Wes…
WES: If you’re looking for the guy that’s going to be at your side at a pep rally or the big Homecoming Dance, you can keep looking… I’m never going to be that guy. But if you can settle for someone lurking in the shadows… someone who wants to keep you safe… then here I am. I’ll always be on your side, Autumn.
Autumn throws her arms around Wes in a quick, awkward hug!
AUTUMN: I don’t always understand you, Wes. And I don’t agree with how you do things. But I’m with you.
ADDISON: So what now? We give that big meeting another try?
WES: Sure. I’ll start making some calls…
[ Addison, Wes, Autumn | 14h | 5000c, 2605xp ]
WES: Let’s try this again. Is everyone ready to listen?
JULIAN: I’m with you.
Payton switches her phone to silent and waves it in front of Wes.
PAYTON: Zero distractions over here!
NISHAN: I’ve been convinced that I can perform the necessary physical activities.
AUTUMN: And you know I’m in.
ADDISON: Then let’s hear this plan.
Julian, Autumn, Payton, Mia, Nishan, and Addison watch as Wes lays out a map of Hearst High.
WES: So, as I was saying last time… If we can get into the Hearst High computer system, we’re golden. And that means getting into the school. But we’ll have to be fast. We’ll have maybe ten minutes before we’re detected, tops.
NISHAN: Which means I’ll need to know exactly what we’re looking for. Um. Which is…?
ADDISON: Nishan DOES raise a good point. You still haven’t told us what this is all about. What’s the big scandal that we’re going to reveal?
WES: I’ll get to that. But first, there’s still one missing piece in this puzzle… we’re going to need one last person. Sakura.
NISHAN: Sakura?! Why her? What does she have to do with this?
WES: Whether or not she knows it, she’s got the information that we need.
ADDISON: So all we need now… is to recruit Sakura to our school?
WES: You got it.
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